While many Muslim Americans live with fear and unease on a
daily basis, the last few weeks have been terrifying for members of this identity group—and for allies
who care about civil liberties and religious freedom. The dialogue about Islam
and its followers flying across the airwaves and popping up on social media has
veered so far from what most people consider rational discourse that many folks
in the United States feel like they’re living in an episode of the Twilight Zone. But this is real life.
And the suggestion that Muslims should not be allowed to live freely in this
country or cross its borders is a real policy proposal being voiced and echoed
by real people.

The pain and fear this rhetoric causes for U.S. students is
also real. How do we know this? Because Teaching Tolerance has been flooded with requests for
resources about how to teach about Islam, Islamophobia and religious extremism.
Because the resources we do have on these topics are among the most-visited
pages on our website right now. Because the educators who are reaching out to
us are worried—for their students and for the future—and they’re looking for
ways to shed some light during a dark time. How dark? The New York Times reported yesterday that, in the hours
after the San Bernardino shooting in early December, the “top
Google search in California with the word ‘Muslims’ in it was ‘kill Muslims.’”

If your students are hearing Islamophobic rhetoric at
school, at home or in their communities, it may well leave them feeling
confused or frightened. Use these resources to offer facts and perspectives
that can help correct misinformation, improve school safety and offer examples
of how students across the country have responded in the face of Islamophobia.

What is the Truth
About American Muslims?A publication co-produced by the Interfaith Alliance and the
Religious Freedom Project of the First Amendment Center that debunks damaging
stereotypes about Muslims in the United States. It also includes a section on
religious freedom under the U.S. Constitution.

“Extreme Prejudice”A magazine feature story about why it’s necessary to teach
about religious radicalism. The story has an accompanying lesson-based toolkit.

“Dressing in Solidarity”A magazine feature story about a school that rallied around
its Muslim students after an anti-Muslim hate crime.

“Youth United! Enough is Enough”A video feature about a school that lost a student to an
anti-Muslim hate crime and how, after the tragedy, his classmates took action
to establish a community-wide culture of respect, love and understanding.
(Great for sharing with kids!)

“Don’t Look Away From Garissa”A blog post about an Islamic extremist
attack on a Kenyan university and the implications for students and teachers in
the United States when only the negative stories about Islam make it into the
news.